NEW DELHI: An Indian Supreme Court panel said on Thursday it was divided over a ban on hijabs in schools, and referred the matter to the chief justice, effectively leaving in place a state’s ruling against the women’s headgear that has sparked uproar.

Karnataka in southwestern India in February became the only state to ban the garment in schools, triggering protests by Muslim students and their parents.

Indian state re-opens some schools in wake of hijab dispute

Hindu students have staged counter-protests, adding to frictions at a time when some Muslims already complain of marginalisation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government.

India’s debate comes as protests have rocked Iran after women objected to dress codes under its Islamic laws.